Nighslee is required by law in certain states to charge our customers sales tax. The tax rate varies from state to state based on the delivery address and will be calculated once the shipping address is entered.

Are Memory Foam Mattresses Toxic?

2018-10-19
Mattress
9201

Are memory foam mattress Toxic? we often hear that memory foam mattresses are toxic and unhealthy for us to sleep on. However, the popularity of memory foam mattresses seems to be incredibly overwhelming as they gently contour to your body and relieve your pressure points. Are these mattresses safe for human use? What’s the truth? Before uncovering the fact, let’s see what memory foam mattresses are and what’s inside in these mattresses.

What is memory foam?

As some may know, memory foam was first designed for NASA space programs. Its primary function was to keep astronauts safe and comfortable during missions in space. As memory foam is an excellent shock absorbing material, it has been applied to helmets, pads and plenty of other equipment to offer safety and prevent serious injury to astronauts.

The structure of memory foam shifts under pressure or applied force. Meanwhile, the small cavities inside compress and change shape. This contributes to spreading the pressure force over its entire surface area. Thanks to this advantage, memory foam mattresses are great for those who suffer from back pain and offer great comfort at the same time, including people with injuries.

Is polyurethane foam toxic?

Different memory foam mattress brands will use different materials and methods to produce their own products. But these components will be found in almost every form of memory foam mattress.

Polyurethane: Polyurethane, the main component in memory foam, is a combination of polyols and diisocyanates. Polyurethane is an organic plastic that’s highly flexible, making it great for mattresses. The polyols are usually composed of petroleum oil-derived ingredients, but may also include botanical sources like soy or castor beans. Diisocyanates are the reactive part, reacting with the polyols and blowing agent to create a flexible polyurethane foam.

But many people are worried about whether polyurethane foam is toxic. Polyurethane foams are widely used and are commonly used in sofa furniture, pillows, cushions, toys, clothing and soundproof linings.

First of all, the polyurethane is harmless at normal temperature and pressure.

Secondly, the polyurethane product is non-polluting, non-toxic and tasteless.

However, the fumes and carcasses that are volatilized by the polyurethane are toxic to the human body.

In summary, polyurethane is non-toxic to human body at room temperature.

Blowing Agents: These blowing agents, such as carbon, water or other agents, are often used to transform polyurethane into the memory foam we know. Different manufacturers may use different blowing agents. As long as you choose a mattress that does not contain ozone depleting agent, PBDE, TDCPP or TCEP flame retardant is harmless to the human body.

Memory foam toxic symptoms and health risks

These are symptoms of exposure to toxic memory foam mattresses. These include morning headache, muscle pain, frequent nausea and lack of attention. Especially those who have been using memory foam bedding. They suffer from inattention, headache and difficulty breathing. Some people also show allergies. Many adults report mental decline and problems with the respiratory system. Children have problems with reduced cognitive ability. What is the cause of the toxic memory foam mattress, let us look at these culprit.

1. Off-gassing
Simply stated, the only result of off-gassing is an unpleasant smell. Off gassing, a concern among those wary of memory foam, occurs when volatile organic compounds (or VOC’s) break down and diffuse through the air you breathe.

2. Flame retardants
This has been linked to cancer and nervous system disorders, such as PBDE’s, penta- and octaBDE, which have recently been banned in many countries.

3. Mercury
The inhalation of mercury vapor will produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems or lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal.

4. Methylbenzene
The major effect of methylbenzene from long-term exposure is in the blood. Breathing too much can be bad for bone marrow and cause a decrease in red blood cells, and affect the nervous system.

5. Methylene chloride
Inhalation or dermal exposure to methylene chloride may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and irritation. And it has been considered a
cancer-causing substance by many states and agencies.

7. Formaldehyde
A colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical is used to make
one of the adhesives which hold mattresses together. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause asthma, allergies, and lung, nose and throat cancers.

How to find the non-toxic memory foam mattress?

We may know so much information about memory foam mattresses, but are memory foam mattresses really toxic and how do we find the safest one for our family? The final answer is looking for CertiPUR-USⓇ certified or equivalent seal foams, as mattresses from nearly all reputable brands which adhere to strict quality and safety guidelines will carry the CertiPUR-USⓇ certification.

These mattresses are certified by CertiPUR-USⓇ and made without ozone depleters, PBDE’s, TDCPP, or TCEP flame retardants, heavy metals like mercury, formaldehyde, and phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They are also low on volatile organic compound emissions (VOC’s).

NighsleeⓇ memory foam mattress

Nighslee has a single goal, bringing ease and comfort in finding the perfect night’s rest for everyone. Nighslee’s products have no off-gassing and only use CertiPUR-USⓇ certified polyurethane foam with our mattress. All Nighslee
products and the textiles we use conform to the requirements for standard 100
by OEKO-TEXⓇ.

Nighslee’s cool memory foam mattress are hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. They are all designed using the best materials and processes to ward off any allergy irritants. Nighslee’s flame barrier is also free of dangerous chemicals. Nighslee keeps the environment in mind – using no harsh chemicals or shoddy production of methods in creating our mattress. Nighslee mattresses are produced using natural processes and materials, keeping the whole family (pet included) safe.